What's the point of joining the army?

[Blobb]

I'm just wondering why people do if from a place of genuine curiosity. To me it's always seemed like a loosing deal.

The Pros:

-You learn massive self discipline

-You get very fit

-You learn plenty of useful skills directly applied to real life

The Cons:

-You get sh*t pay

-You get shot at for a living with a reasonable chance of dieing

-You are essentially hired to kill by your state

-You get to go to the worst parts of the planet and see horrible sh*t

happen to people

I know if you're tight for money and there really aren't that many options for you, that may be your only resort. And I really feel for the people who are in that situation. But for the others what is it that would make you sign up?

I'm not laying any jugements on anyone, your life is your life and you decide how you want to live it as you see fit I have no place in moralising people, and I'm not interested in doing so. I'm purely just curious. (Also if I missed some pros and cons, please enlighten me).

[Novus]

There's one pro that isn't as relavent anymore, it used to be that being in the army earnt respect from the majority of society and was more widely regarded as an honourable proffession than it is now.

Some people still feel like that but it's not as commonplace anymore. I'm not saying that's necessarily wrong, the military itself has changed in that time too. But it used to be a genuine draw to the military.

Along with which there's the sense of camaraderie, they have (and still do) emphasise a "somewhere to belong" theme in their recruitment in the past. Though if that camaraderie is as genuine as they and hollywood like to portray is debatable.

As for the "essentially hired to kill part", that's over-simplifying it too much. I could just as truthfully phrase it as "you're essentially hired to protect others from harm". The actual job is far more complex than either of those.

Also, being shot at matters to some people less than others. Call it foolhardy or bravery or just being stone cold inside, danger matters less to some people.

[Blobb]

I can see you point about camaraderie, and somewhere to belong.

I do agree I was oversimplifying, but I don't agree with the statement "hired to protect others from harm to be truthful", unless of course you are referring to the UN peacekeeping corps. But I meant the regular army in my question.

[Novus]

Well according to the spirit of the Geneva conventions, the armed forces are only supposed to deliberately engage other "combatants".

Combatants, by their very definition are people aiming to harm or kill others. By fighting them, you are stopping them doing harm to others in your absence, paraphrased "Protecting others". It's deliberately misleading but that was my point.

"Hired to kill" is deliberately evocative of mercenary/amoral motivations.

[Blobb]

Ok fair enough. In my mind hired to protect others relates more to the firebrigade and the cops; I think that is a bit of a stretch, but ok.

[Eugene]

Pros:

- It's a job and you get paid.

- If you're a total idiot who can't get any kind of job, you can still join an army anytime.

- Government will try to hide whatever you did in some poor country, which can't even defend itself.

- You get a gun.

- You feel yourself badass.

- You get fit.

Cons:

- You can get killed or wounded badly.

- Only people of your own country (not all people, however) find you a good person no matter what you did to other people somewhere out there.

- You'll become a retard quickly.

Would I sign? Doubtful, however, if a war will come they will enlist me without asking.

And I don't see much of a point in holding an army. As long as country has nuclear weapons, only suicidal lunatics will try threaten it.

[SpunkNiel]

People join army say if their family has been in the army,patriotism, for personal reason say wanting to get away,etc I can't find any other reasons

pros:

get benefits from government

you are taken care of after retirement,even if the pension is not that good

concession for various facilities such as education and housing

makes people responsible of their action



Cons;

as you said it messes up with peoples head ,especially directly involved with war

ability to communicate could be altered

may make people violent though not always I guess

i think the biggest demerit is people in army after their time have hard time dealing with regular lives,routines,relationships,etc

[Blobb]

hm interesting. How do you think it makes a person responsible for their actions? I've never heard that before.

[SpunkNiel]

hmm...because being in army is being in a team,you can't be impulsive and rash, I guess looking after for your teammates as well as yourself,making calm and rational decisions make a person responsible.

[Blobb]

aaah yeah I see what you mean taken from that perspective it is true.

It kind of surprised me because there doesn't seem to be too much accountability for your actions especially in a combat zone when you're in the army.

[SpunkNiel]

yeah I didn't think from the view of combat zone..it makes sense though,what you said

[tohrment]

I'm really considering joining the air force because it opens up a lot of opportunities... I'm a law student and I'm thinking of joining as a legal officer. It's a wonderful way to gain experience (life in general as well as for my career) and there are great benefits (low tax, health care, etc). Plus, combat training and badges sounds fun :D

[Distant]

I think another 'pro' would be that you get to shoot and blow things up since a lot of people love that. Perhaps that you don't need a college or university degree to get into it so it's an easy fallback. Another 'con' would definitely be being away from your friends and family.

~Distant

[Killomillo]

Army is for idiots - fact

Unless your a pilot or something like that, I know guy who went to French foreign legion and he's a good preson and everything ... and ye he returned in less than half a year and he told what stuff they do ... ha ha sick

[cjwright79]

I did learn something from a US army dude, from Fahrenheit 9/11. He said that killing someone is like killing a part of yourself. Cosmic huh.

[tyt_2012]

You get to kill people without breaking the law. You don` t need no qualifications and they let anyone in. Some people like the danger aspect and getting an adrenaline rush.

[cjwright79]

Jeeze you ain't kidding with that teddy icon are ya

[tyt_2012]

Nope :) It depics innocent on the outside and malice on the in. ;)

[cjwright79]

Leeds in April... makes sense.

[Blobb]

happy tree freinds?

[tyt_2012]

LOL! Cj Leeds is a very decent city, you know. It`s Bradford you need to look out for, which is where I now live.

[cjwright79]

Watch Three Kings and The Hurt Locker for a better idea.

[Blobb]

Seen both, seems like some pretty retarded reasons to join the army in both cases... I guess I'll never really understand.

[Anonymous]

You get to shoot people and also get paid